Newcastle United player set for summer transfer exit after brutal snub made public

If anyone ever doubted Ryan Fraser would leave Newcastle United this summer then that was put to bed just hours before the goalless draw with Leicester City.

The Scotland international has been training with the club’s under-21s since the beginning of March after falling out with head coach Eddie Howe.

It swiftly became apparent that things weren’t right between the 29-year-old and Howe after he was named in the matchday squad just three times after the World Cup.

The Scotland international’s last appearance for United was during a 1-0 home win over Everton in October.

“Ryan is training with the under-21s. I made the decision to concentrate on the players that are committed to Newcastle,” Howe said in March.

Asked if he saw a future for Fraser on Tyneside, Howe said: “I think that’s a difficult one for me to answer because I’d never put a firm decision on that because life and football can change quickly.

“But I’d say at the moment, no he doesn’t.”

Howe has been asked on a few occasions if the situation had changed but his response was no.

Indeed, a further statement about Fraser’s future was made last night with the former Aberdeen man not pictured on the programme cover, though Chris Wood and Jonjo Shelvey, who both joined Nottingham Forest in January, were.

Fraser also wasn’t present as Howe, his staff and players went on a lap of honour after ending their 20-year absence from the Champions League.

When Howe landed the Magpies job in November 2021, the 45-year-old was forced to confirm there was no bad blood between him and the player. Fraser opted not to sign a contract extension allowing him to play for Bournemouth when the Premier League restarted following the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the winger was one of Howe’s regular picks last season as he guided Newcastle to Premier League safety. In 2022-23 though, Fraser, who has two years left on his contract, has played just eight times.

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